Asian Development Bank approves USD 400m for CAREC border modernization

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 400 million regional financing facility aimed at modernizing border crossing points within the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region. Known as the Border Upgrades for Integration, Logistics, and Development (BUILD) facility, the program seeks to reduce transport and logistics costs while improving the movement of goods and people.

The facility consists of USD 320 million in ordinary capital resources, USD 65 million in concessional ordinary capital resources lending, and a USD 15 million grant. Over a 10-year implementation period, the ADB will cap financing at USD 50 million per project to support small-value border crossing point upgrades.

Investments will target infrastructure such as rail and road crossings, digital systems, and high-tech inspection equipment to address current bottlenecks caused by growing trade volumes and capacity constraints. ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Leah Gutierrez stated that the facility aims to create faster, smarter, and more connected borders to expand cross-country markets and economic corridors.